"In most public restroom surfaces, human-associated bacteria dominate," Dr Nilka Figueroa, an Infectious Diseases Chief Fellow at Harlem Hospital Center, told Vice.
"This bacteria are skin microbes that most people already have, so they pose almost no risk of infection."
Furthermore, tests have found that common items such as an office keyboard and mouse, shopping trolley, mobile phone, remote control and kitchen chopping board all carried more germs than a toilet seat.
But for those who can't help but cringe at the thought of putting their butt cheeks on a surface where another human had potentially sat down just moments earlier, the anonymous note leaver made a plea to their sense of common good, asking that they have regard to "anyone who has the misfortune of SITTING in the mess".
"We all spend way too much time at work, and many of us try to treat it as if it was our second home," the note concluded.
"Please consider the points above before the next time you use the 'hover technique'. And if you really have to do it again, can you please clean up after yourself so other do not have to? Thanks and have a great day!"
Twitter users responded with a mixture of sympathy for the note leaver from those who shared their frustration, to irritation at the passive-aggressive tone.
